4 Estate 4Samudra Estate

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A grotto of granite frames the twin elements of Estate 4, the sea, and the land, dividing them with its central supporting pillar.

The Miracle

The phrase “Time and tide wait for no man” echoes the story of the wise King Canute who demonstrated to his courtiers the limits of a king’s power by failing to make the sea obey his command. Thus he declared, “Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings. For there is none worthy of the name but God, whom heaven, earth and sea obey”. It is upon this same deep insight that Estate 4’s design is grounded. The architectural layout one sees today is very different from what was originally conceived on paper in the offices of the designers. Initial drawings had the swimming pool on the same level as the sea, while the living and dining pavilions were to be on ground level. The pivotal moment came when the architects saw the powerful movement of the tides, reminding them that a greater ‘Master Plan’ had already been drawn millions of years ago. Located right at the sea’s edge and hemmed by steep granite cliffs, the site posed a challenge to the architects; major adjustments had to be made to their plans. Keeping faithful to YTL’s commitment not to cut any hills or move any boulders, the dining pavilion had to be set way up on a towering rubble wall. Instead of it being a compromise, this decision greatly heightened the views one gets of Marina Bay. At the same time, since no trees were cut, the foliage of the rain forest embraces the dining pavilion, merging it into the landscape. This Estate has multi-levelled layouts and a ‘maze’ of natural granite rubble

walls due to its natural terrain. The final layout of the Estate gives an enhanced sense of privacy, without the feeling of being enclosed. The natural contours of the land ensure that as well. There is a constant sense of discovery when exploring the leafy meandering little pathways around this Estate, surrounded by enormous cliffs, natural vertical gardens, unusual ferns and huge trees.

FROM SEA-LEVEL POOL TO INFINITY POOLThe architects’ original plan for a ‘sea-level pool’ had to be changed according to the natural ebb and flow of the tide. The result: a stunning infinity pool of fresh water that optically ‘spills over’ into the sea and joins the horizon. This free-form infinity swimming pool winds its way in front of the pavilions, offering commanding views of beach and ocean. If one chooses, one can step out of the pool and have a nap in the cosy resting pavilion which is screened by bamboo blinds. Alternatively, just off the pool is a cool stone grotto where one can take in the breeze and views of the sea. The architects’ plan for a juxtaposition of the tides with the pool can still be experienced, albeit on an adjusted scale. During full moon, for instance, the ripples of high tide reach out to gently touch the pool’s sandstone bund, but never threaten to overwhelm it.

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of Walking On Water

All of us have … the exact same percentage of salt … that exists in the ocean … in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears … And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came.– John F. Kennedy –

genius loci e4EXTREMELY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SEA

Opposite:Also known as Samudra Estate (“samudra” is the ancient Sanskrit word for “ocean”), Estate 4 is the closest to the sea among all the nine Estates. In fact, at high tide, its living pavilion literally stands over the waves.

Estate 4

Set on the hillside, flowing down to the beach and over the waters, Estate 4 is affectionately referred to as ‘the honeymoon Estate’ by newly married couples for its romantic ambience. It is also much loved by families.Estate 4 has:• Two bungalow bedrooms • Outdoor jacuzzi• Free-form infinity pool• Living pavilion• Dining pavilion • Resting pavilion

This Estate is characterised by its living pavilion which embraces both land and sea, and the deep privacy provided by tall rubble walls of pure granite that are functional yet aesthetically pleasing in their symmetry. The layout of this property facilitates a special union with the sea, as the waves ripple under the living pavilion and touch the sandstone walls of its infinity swimming pool.

Personalities that have enjoyed the facilities of Estate 4 include Formula One driver Felipe Massa, as well as Casper Weinburger, former Defence Secretary of the United States.

The resting pavilion utilises organic materials which can be locally grown like the fast-growing bamboo for its blinds. These blinds reduce solar gain while keeping the pavilion open to cooling sea breezes.

REDISCOVERING OUR LINKS WITH THE SEAOf the nine Estates of Pangkor Laut island, this is the Estate that has the closest communion with the sea. The genius loci of Estate 4 is palpable even on a casual stroll through its acreage. The iconic architectural element of the property – its living pavilion – is directly inspired by this essence. There is a certain primal peace about sitting in a pavilion that is built over the sea, feeling the constant rhythm of changing tides and the caressing sea breezes. Why do the waves, wind and water move us so? One of John F. Kennedy’s famous speeches offers a hint: We all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea – whether it is to sail or to watch it – we are going back from whence we came. Backed by the hill and its forest, the living pavilion is tailor-made for the location, offering elevated views (8-10 metres) of Marina Bay, the sea beyond and the green mountains of neighbouring Pangkor Island. Built in the style of a Malay wakaf, the designers have incorporated a unique tweak into its architecture. With a higher pitched roof than a regular wakaf, it is playfully reminiscent of a ballerina’s skirt. The wakaf is a form of vernacular architecture seen in the Northern and East Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as in many parts of Thailand. Although the word wakaf’ is now part of Malay vocabulary, the architectural roots of this graceful pavilion are actually Thai. Traditionally, such pavilions were built by the rich and were consecrated for community use. Its origins are inspired by an ethos that harks back to a time when wealth was measured not by how much one owned but how much one shared. In Estate 4, the wakaf-style living pavilion has columns crowned by the lotus, a Thai motif that also holds much significance in other cultures of the region. This mélange of architectural influences merge harmoniously with each other, and most importantly, also with nature. The trees have precedence above all else; thus one can see trunks growing right through the bridge, floorboards and roofs of the different pavilions in Estate 4. The bedroom pavilion is nestled a little farther up the hillside, with an elevated outdoor jacuzzi, accessible only by an unstructured footpath of natural sandstone. Enveloped by the rain forest, one has the assurance of total privacy here.

Merging land, pool and sea seamlessly, the infinity pool captures the tranquil essence of Estate 4.

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This threshold that leads to the swimming pool of Estate 4 is made of granite. The island of Pangkor Laut is 99% granite, thus the use of granite for the threshold is consistent with the dominant element of the island.

From a private door within your bungalow bedroom, this short and secluded passage of sandstone steps leads to your personal jacuzzi pavilion, walled in by the forest and the hill with roofs of blue skies.

The privacy from the solid ramparts of pure granite, juxtaposed with the wide open sea and sandy beaches shaded by ancient ketapang trees.

Every Jan – Feb and Jul – Aug, the ketapang tree experiences ‘autumn’, and its leaves turn gold, red and orange, and are shed en masse, leaving the tree almost bare.

ALMONDS OF THE SEAArching over the pool, the bridge and the horizon, like the soaring vaults of a Gothic cathedral, is an ancient ketapang tree (Terminalia catappa). Upon its craggy bark thrives a natural vertical garden of unusual ferns and other epiphytes – a veritable microcosm of the rain forest ecosystem – all growing without the need for soil. The ketapang is native to the sandy coasts throughout Malaysia, with fruit kernel that is said to taste surprisingly like almonds; hence its other name, the ‘sea almond’ tree. However, it belongs to a totally different genus from the common almond tree. According to Burkill’s “A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula”, the edible part of the ketapang fruit “is exceedingly delicate on flavour … very like almond oil”. The bark is used as “an astringent in dysentery” and “for thrush”; while “the leaves act as a sudorific, and they are applied to rheumatic joints”. The remedies of the ketapang are used in various parts of the Malay Archipelago ranging from Indonesia to Indo-China and the Philippine Islands. In recent years, researchers have done studies on its healing properties, and there is now beginning to be some scientific backing for its use.

‘Autumn’ twice a yearUnlike other rain forest trees that are evergreen year-round, the ketapang turns ‘autumnal’ with brilliant hues of red, copper and gold, and sheds all its leaves, twice a year. Traditionally, Malaysian farmers of ornamental fish, especially Betta splendens (commonly known as ikan laga or fighting fish) use these fallen dried leaves of the ketapang to lower the pH level of their breeding tanks and to absorb harmful chemicals, thus naturally enhancing the colours of the fish and improving their health. This trade secret has caught on

worldwide among professional tropical fish breeders and fanciers, and today ketapang leaves are even marketed online by suppliers. On the sandy floor of Estate 4’s beach forest, one might spot the unusual pods of the pari-pari or mempari tree (Pongamia pinnata). Native to Pangkor Laut, the mempari is a member of the bean family and thus a leguminous plant with nitrogen-fixing roots. Over time, the mempari turns the soil of the beach into fertile ground for other trees, increasing the biodiversity of the location. This huge tree is held in high esteem among traditional healers in this region. Burkill notes that centuries ago, in India during “sanskritic times, its seeds were employed in applications for skin diseases”; the juice of the plant and the oil from its seeds “have marked antiseptic, cleansing and healing properties”; and it is also used to treat ulcers, and as an antidote for wounds inflicted by the poisonous fish ikan sembilang. Another unique tree found in Estate 4’s rain forest is the Bat’s Apple (Pyrenaria acumniata), variously referred to by several colourful vernacular names such as gelugur gajah (elephant gelegur), lidah lembu (ox tongue) and lidah kerbau (buffalo tongue). The dense canopy formed by towering trees screens off the harshest rays of the sun, leaving only dappled sunlight for the forest floor. In these parts, plants that can thrive in the shade, like bird’s nest ferns, can be found in great numbers. In areas where there is more sun, one finds the hardy native ixora (Ixora coccinea) which bears brightly coloured flowers. This interplay of plant, pavilion, beach and boulder follows the natural contours of the hill and emerges seamlessly as the forest meets the sea. The plants are left to their own devices, propagating themselves and forming their own gorgeous mosaic and borders. As one of the architects who worked on Estate 4 said, “Nothing we come up with can ever come close to what the Creator has designed”.

Ketapang (Terminalia cattapa) that grow by the shore tend to lean towards the sea for maximum sunlight, creating a leafy ‘umbrella’ that disappears twice a year.

View from Estate 4’s living pavilion, the Estate closest to the sea. Being here at high tide is like walking on water because it is built directly over the waves.